Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

More good jobs for 2010 and beyond

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Still looking for a great career option for 2010 and beyond?

The following is from HotJobs.com’s suggestions of  eight “gigs expected to be both prosperous and abundant in the coming decade.” Be sure to read their post for more details about each selection.

Cardiovascular technologist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this job is expected to grow by 24 percent through the year 2018. As the BLS reports, most cardiovascular technologists in training earn at least a two-year technical degree. In addition, some get on-the-job training in the necessary equipment (for example, EKGs). 
 Median annual salary: $60,400

Database administrator
Like health care, information technology remains a hot field with ample opportunity, says workplace expert Alexandra Levit, whose latest book is New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career. A solid foundation in computing is essential, reports the BLS, adding that certifications can only make you more attractive to employers. 
 Median annual salary: $72,600

Gas/electric/utilities strategic planning analyst
Working in the utilities sector remains a wise bet, no matter what the economy’s doing. According to the BLS, of all utilities sector support staff, technology workers and analysts will find themselves best equipped to capitalize on job openings. 
 Median annual salary: $68,700

Accountant
Do you enjoy crunching number? The BLS estimates that accounting jobs will grow by 22 percent in the next decade.
Median annual salary: $49,100

Marketing manager
Organizations from all walks of corporate America need creative folks who can write and analyze a marketing survey, position a product to consumers and the media, and collaborate with market researchers, product managers, and profit-minded accountants. What’s more, the BLS predicts that opportunities for marketing managers will increase by 13 percent through 2018. 
 Median annual salary: $60,200

Dental hygienist
Of all the jobs that require a two-year technical degree, this one promises the most opportunity in the new decade, boasting a whopping 36 percent growth rate. Many of these positions are part-time with flexible hours, making them ideal for parents with young children. 
 Median annual salary: $57,100

Interior designer
Are you a design blog junkie? The friend everyone calls when they need help sprucing up their living room? Although you’ll need to invest in a design degree and acquire the necessary budgeting and software skills, the payoff is worth it, says Shatkin: Job opportunities are expected to grow by 19 percent through 2018. 
 Median annual salary: $46,100

Occupational therapist
Thanks to the country’s aging population, occupational therapy remains a high-growth field, with 26 percent more jobs predicted in the new decade. According to the BLS, nearly a third of occupational therapists work part-time, and a master’s degree and state license are usually required. 
 Median annual salary: $69,400

No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by darkmatter

Best careers for 2010

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Last year at about this time, I noted that The Associated Press reported, “It’s a big economy; 350 million people — there’s always going to be people hiring.” True enough, but if you were one of the 15.4 Americans out of work, it might not have seemed like such a big economy.

Do Your Research

Every job seeker should keep an eye on his or her industry and make plans for the future with an informed outlook. It’s a good idea to set a Google alert for organizations and fields of interest to you so you’ll be aware when there are newsworthy ups and downs in your market. Clearly, there are trends in industries. While there are no guarantees (even some government workers – traditionally thought immune from layoffs – have been under the gun), keeping an eye on these surveys and data should help direct those seeking career change make their plans.

You also want to see how predictions hold out year-over-year. For example, last year, I reported that the health care sector was expected to expand, as were opportunities in green energy organizations. These continue to be fields that make the growth lists. In fact, U.S. News reports that healthcare did expand its payrolls in 2009, though “not at the clip customary for a healthier economy.”

U.S. News notes, “Sometimes, a recession shows you that the best jobs aren’t the ones that grab headlines or dazzle strangers. Rather, they’re the ones that offer a stable paycheck and a little satisfaction at the end of the day.” Excellent point. You may be surprised by some of the professions on this list.

The most interesting surprise on the list for me? “Employment of security system installers is forecast to jump 25 percent between 2008 and 2018.” Hmm…Clearly the fact that we are feeling less than secure has an upside for some professions!”

Here is U.S. News & World Report’s list of top jobs for 2010, broken down by categories considered promising growth fields:

Science and Technology

Health care

Education and Civic

Business and Finance

Creative and Service

Be sure to review U.S. News’ entire, informative article outlining the various opportunities and their methodology.

Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by nishwater

Job market predictions for 2010

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On Sunday, I was watching Meet the Press – as a political junkie, I like to catch it. One of the guests was Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts. David Gregory asked for predictions for 2010 regarding the job market. I loved Governor Patrick’s answer, and I think I will make it one of my mantras…

To paraphrase: Expanding cooperation and teamwork is how to compete in a global economy. (You can watch the clip HERE – scroll to the last video.)

I couldn’t have said it better myself. What are employers looking for? Someone who can come in and FIT in. Someone willing to roll up their proverbial sleeves and get the work done.

This isn’t necessarily a new thing. In fact, looking back, in two jobs that I landed, my colleagues later shared that my strong collaborative abilities (demonstrated to them via my attitude and references) were key factors in hiring me. I’ll never forget my colleague Mindy telling me that she had felt I would really pitch in and help out in different areas in the department and that was a main reason that she preferred me over the others.

I imagine the other candidates for the jobs I took were probably pretty qualified. Somehow, I was able get across something more important than basic qualifications to get the job. In a nutshell – it’s those oh-so-important “soft skills,” AKA “emotional intelligence” that will make the difference between getting the job and being capable of the job.

I have written about this before. In his book, Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi says, “…Community and alliances will rule in the twenty-first century…[success is] dependent on whom you know and how you work with them (291).” He asserts that living a truly connected life is a prerequisite to success.

Could it be that all we really need to know are the lessons we learn in the sandbox? Is the poem “All I Ever Really Need To Know, I Learned in Kindergarten” turning out to be really true? If so, how can you respond? What is the best way to stand out to compete in this “global economy” (forgive me for the cliche – I am sure this phrase is on some “I never want to hear this again” lists!)

My reply? Another old standby for me – “Show, don’t tell.” It is tough to convince someone that you are a team player unless you really are one! BE the person who is willing to go the extra mile. Maybe that means you hold the door for somebody behind you on the way to the interview. Or, that you let someone take the parking space you both were eyeing. Who knows – you might have been angling your potential new boss out of her space!

Obviously, there’s much more to this than simply being courteous, but it is a start. Look at your network. Do you have one? Are you a connector? Do you try to put people in touch with each other, just for the sake of doing it? If so, you are SHOWING that you care about people – that you are a team player.

What would your boss or colleagues say about you? Do they think only about your competence, or will they comment on your great attitude, how you lead by example and show everyone the same respect? Are you the one who pitches in and stays until the end, or are you running out to handle personal matters? Everything adds up, and how you behave will shape how people see you.

Think about it – do you have the necessary skills to fit in and get the job done? Do you agree that cooperation and teamwork are crucial for success in the next decade? Share in the comments!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by valilouve

Selling and job hunting have a lot in common. Who's buying what you have to offer?

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I have a secret to tell you. My hair is not actually naturally straight the way it looks in my photo. In fact, it is pretty wavy and not usually very coifed. Why am I telling you this? I had an experience at the mall a few weeks ago that I have been meaning to blog about. I think it offers a good lesson for job seekers. So, you know my secret. My hair needs some help to look like it does in my online image!

My story?

I was walking through the mall past several of those kiosks that seem to fill the middle of the walkways at this time of year. A woman with hair products noticed me (with my un-coifed hair – hey I was on my way the Apple store – I don’t dress up for them!) Maria easily identified me as a potential customer and called me over. Of course, a skeptical consumer that I am, I resisted. “No, thanks,” I replied. “Come, let me show you something, it will only take a minute.” Maybe it was a weak moment. Maybe I was not in a hurry for the first time in my life. I gave in and went to see what she had.

She was selling hair straighteners. Ah…Now, I was interested. She took a piece of my hair and demonstrated how her product worked. Impressed, I still resisted. I wasn’t really shopping for a hair product. She persisted. She illustrated a few more great tricks her hair straightener could do. Explained how the ceramic tongs wouldn’t damage my hair. Showed me that even her nifty hair curler couldn’t undo my newly straightened hair. Very impressive.

Long story short, she connected with me on every important point. Answered every single question and hesitation I had. I bought the hair straightener and I’ll tell you I have NOT been sorry. I love it and I really like the way I can make my hair look (and behave) when I use it.

What does this have to do with you? Think about it – looking for a job is nothing more than selling what you have to offer to someone who needs what you have. Did Maria stop the short-haired man who walked by ahead of me? Of course not – she targeted me as an obvious potential customer. (Okay, so my hair was a mess.) I was clearly someone with a problem she could solve. That is what you need to do – identify problems you can solve. Target organizations that have those problems.

Did she show me the lovely box and EXPLAIN how the hair straightener worked. No – she SHOWED me how quickly and totally straight I could get my hair in 10 seconds. You’ve heard “show, don’t tell.” So, do that. Don’t tell the employer you have great communication skills and that you are a creative person – SHOW them by writing a knock-out resume and having an amazing online profile that leaves nothing to doubt.

Once you have someone interested – don’t let them go until you have shown your stuff! There were several points when I was ready to walk away without a new hair straightener. But Maria knew just what to say to keep me interested. You need to be able to have enough to say to keep people interested, too. Do you know how to sell your skills? If you can’t keep someone from (literally or figuratively) walking away, you need to do a better job. Practice! Maria was obviously a very skilled salesperson. She didn’t get there by sitting around and hoping people would stop to see her.

Maria MADE that sale happen. You need to do the same thing. It is tough, but it is not rocket science. I don’t remember EVER buying anything at a mall kiosk. But, I couldn’t walk away from that straightener. And I’m not sorry. You need to make sure someone knows better than to walk away from you. SHOW them that you are the perfect match for the job.

What do you need to do before you make the sale of your life? Share your ideas!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers

Just Ask Leadership – A review

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justaskleadership0071621776Knowing how to ask the right questions is a key skill for every successful professional. Gary B. Cohen’s book, Just Ask Leadership – Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions is a reminder that people are a company’s most important resource and that listening is so much more important than talking.

I’ve written about how important it is to be a good listener, and believe it is a crucial skill for job seekers and all careerists. Gary’s book starts out by asking, “Would you rather be asked for your input or told what to do?” (p. 1).

He describes how CEOs and managers can help their organizations succeed by instilling a value on listening and asking questions. He focuses on five important topics:

  1. Improving vision.
  2. Ensuring accountability.
  3. Building unity and cooperation and creating a culture of trust.
  4. Creating better decisions and getting the right answers by asking the right questions.
  5. Motivate to action – asking for success.

In the book, Gary identifies and addresses such important questions as, “How can I seek clarification without being judgmental? (p. 133) and “How can suspending my beliefs inspire my coworkers and resolve conflicts?” (p. 177).

I think that anyone who wants to be a better manager or leader can learn a lot from this informative book based on interviews with nearly 100 leaders, including Fortune 500 CEOs.

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I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.